Family mediation involves the facilitation of discussions between you and the other party by an impartial mediator. These discussions can be held online or in separate rooms and your lawyers can attend.
The mediator will listen to both points of view and encourage you to discuss workable solutions. Family mediation can save you time and money compared to taking your case through court.
It’s less expensive
Family mediation is often much cheaper than taking a case to Court. It’s also faster and far less stressful.
The reason that mediation is so cost effective is because it’s a collaborative process where both parties can agree on their own resolution of the issues in dispute. This means that they will be able to control the outcome of their case, rather than having it decided for them by a Judge.
Moreover, mediation allows parents to explore solutions that might not have been considered by the Court. This leaves more room for unique parenting arrangements that put children first.
Whether you are in the midst of separation, divorce proceedings or are considering marriage, family mediation is a great way to resolve conflict and begin repairing relationships. It can be done in person, online or via phone. It can be done with the assistance of lawyers, or without. There are government funded services and private providers.
It’s less stressful
Family mediation is much less stressful than taking things to court. When parties take their case to court they spend a lot of time waiting to see a judge, and they don’t have much control over when their hearings will happen. Usually, they will have to wait for months before the judge has the time to meet with them.
In mediation, you and your ex-spouse can decide on a schedule for your sessions that fits with your family’s life. Sessions last for two to three hours. Depending on the issues that need to be resolved, it may only be necessary for you and your ex to attend one session, or you might have more sessions.
Whatever agreement you reach in your mediation session can be drafted into a legally binding contract, which can then be submitted to the court. This is a step towards avoiding trial, but it’s important to note that not every issue can be resolved in mediation.
It’s more flexible
The goal of family mediation is to resolve disputes and create arrangements that fit the particular needs of the families involved. This is in contrast to court proceedings where the Judge is ultimately responsible for making decisions that affect both parties.
Even if the parents aren’t able to finalize every single detail in mediation, they can often leave with a set of logistical agreements that will be a good starting point for their future relationship and ensure that children come first. These agreements can also be changed at subsequent sessions if the circumstances change.
Unlike arbitration, which is a less flexible process where a third party acts as a quasi-judge and makes a binding decision, mediation offers more flexibility in how the resolution is created. This allows for a greater range of options to be considered and may include creative solutions that wouldn’t be available in court. This flexibility can provide a better outcome for everyone involved.
It’s more effective
Unlike family therapy where you spend time discussing past wrongs, emotional pain and often re-enacting old dynamics, mediation is more focused on finding solutions to the problem at hand. Having a more concentrated approach to the conflict can often allow the parties to resolve matters faster than if they proceeded through Court.
This is due to the fact that all information discussed during mediation is confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court. It also allows both parties to discuss a solution that is mutually acceptable and may provide for more flexibility.
The ability to settle the matter yourself and not leave it to a judge means that you can control how your matter is resolved, which in turn allows you to save money on expensive legal fees and avoid the distressing process of working through complex steps of litigation. However, it is important to understand the limitations of Family mediation so that you make the best choice for your situation.https://yorkshire.lakesmediation.co.uk/